“The mission of the Friends of Heron Lake and El Vado Lake State Parks is to help the staff of Heron Lake and El Vado Lake State Parks and the New Mexico State Parks Division create and maintain educational and recreational opportunities for the communities we serve.”

Osprey Fest 2012

Join and Contribute

Join the Friends of Heron and El Vado Lake State Parks. Join today for $35. Includes annual day pass for El Vado and Heron Lake State
Parks. You can also make a specific contribution to a program.

Heron and El Vado lakes, set in the beautiful Chama River Valley, offer two unique ways to enjoy the great outdoors.

Heron LakeA tranquil lake set among tall pines, Heron Lake State Park has been designated a "quiet lake" where boats operate at no-wake speeds only. This lake is ideal for sailing and windsurfing, in fact it is home of the New Mexico Sailing Club. At Heron Lake you can also find excellent fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking and ice fishing is popular in winter. A marina, sail boat storage and several campgrounds line the shore of this scenic lake--primitive and fully developed campsites are available for every taste.

El Vado LakeA picturesque lake set in the beautiful New Mexico mountains, El Vado Lake State Park is a recreational lake where the boat speeds are not restricted. This lake offers boating, water-skiing, and winter cross-country skiing. The quiet coves that can be found around the lake are great places to catch fish. The shore of this fun lake is speckled with a variety of campsite offering a varying range of amenities. The kids will also have a great time playing in our lakeside playground.
El Vado lake sits on the same location as the village of El Vado. In the early 1900s, before the lake was constructed, the town of El Vado was a noisy, bustling railroad and lumber center and the largest town in the county.

Whether you are interested in some quiet time or a little excitement you can find both within 5 miles of each other. For those who enjoy a good hike there is the Rio Chama Trail, a hiking and fishing trail along the gorgeous Rio Chama River that connects the two lakes. The 5.5-mile trail, which crosses the river by suspension bridge, affords panoramic views and an adventurous route between the lakes.